The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-07-21
Democracy and the State Debt.

Democracy and the State Debt.
The Democratic State Convention which
is called to meet in Roanoke on the 4th of
August, will contain delegates who are
instructed in contrary directions ON the
State debt question. AS an Illustration
we publish below the resolutions adopted
by the Democratic convention of Chester
field county:
l. That we do hereby affirm that vire mia can
not bear greater rate of taxation, and it is i'm
possible for her to pay. or even promise TO pay,
| her creditors beyond the amount stated i'll
the ltiddleberger bill.
9. That Virginia has the right to manage her
own State matters, to support her public
schools maintain her elemosynary institu-
| tons and give pittance to her manned
| soldiers; and that these are rights that the
Democracy OF Virginia Will ever consider as
superior to any claim demand that can be
made upon her by the bondhodcrs
s. That the Rddleberger settlement having
been rejected by the committee of the foreign
hondholders. after having been the financial
policy of the people for number Of years, we
affirm that the people are in no way bound by
said settlement and we favor constitutional
people can, will, and ought to pay.
A. We again call on all citizens of the county
not to use coupons in the payment of taxes,
but to pay the same in money, thereby obviat-
ing the necessity of an increase of taxation to
enable the State to maintain her schools,
elemosynary institutions, and pension her
manned soldiers.
We heartily endorse the bold and courageous
stand taken by the Board of Indemnity and
Attorney General in the discharge of their
duties in maintaining the sovereignty of the
State.
In contrast with the sentiment and
policy presented in the foregoing, we ad-
duce the following as the platform Of the
Wythe county Democrats, adopted in con-
vention
Whereas the unsettled condition of the pub
lie debt of Virginia continues to retard the de-
velopment of her resources, and check the
growth of every industry in which her people
, are engaging.
Resolred, 1st That we favor fair and honest
settlement of the State debt upon {, basis
which will meet the just demands of the cred
. itors and the reasonable claim the part OF
the State for a reduction of the same; and
should q departure from the terms of the Rid
deberger bill be necessary to accomplish this
Resolved End. That recognize the consti-
= tuition of the United States and the laws made
G in pursuance thereof as the Supreme law of the
land, and that ,,he Interpretation given the
constitution and laws by the Supreme Court
Q of the United States should be accepted and
8 obeyed by all law abiding citizens.
| Resolred, Srd That we see in the rapid
growth of the South and III the general pros
= perity of our common country under the wise
d and patriotic administration of President
s Cleveland, signs of returning thrift which
, | ought to inspire the sons of Virginia with faith
Il in her ultimate ability to meet her obliga-
tions.
The policy and purpose outlined in
Il these two formal announcements are as
l. divergent as the poles, and Indicate a posi-
tive and determined collision between the
i several wings of the party. The people
n of the State, irrespective of political iden-
: LITIGATION, will await with interest the
: final outcome of the Roanoke Convention
S We may expect meaningless compromise
e between the factions, and an effort tC
II make the fall election turn upon personal
e issues. We will, in all probability, have
y another campaign Of personal abuse and
q vilrlcation, and another TRADE against
is .Mahonen and ''Mahoneism,' - to divert
: public attention from the betrayal OF
n public trust by the Democratic PARTY
J. both in State and National affairs.
o Prohibition had its start in Maine and
a now the ProhibitionistS are trying tC
- carry Texas. Maine and Texas may join
re hands. but the country ''from Maine to
l. Texas will never be won over to the ia
J. natcal idea.-Stdte.
4 1t was fashionable once to denominate
the temperance cause ''fanatical, "but that
p. time has passed. 1t has become live
n practical question and is engaging not
!. only the best thought of the wisest and
# best men in the land, but is enlisting thu
10 organized support of the women of thu
% country. They feel the disastrous ant
70 destructive effects of the liquor traffic
p. their children inherit the evils of it, an(
se they know that society, in successive gen
k erations, is affected by it. When it is re
. membered that, by reliable estim ates
in 500, 000, 900 annually is expended in I'M
10 manning men through the use Of intoXi-
e. cants-when 100000 victims, rendered
" worse than useless, are staggering along
C. every year to dishonored graves, and tina
j. not less than 100000, 900 for the support
10 of iails, criminal prosecution, almshouse!
le and pauperism, is levied upon the people
@ the question of prohibition will not appear
s. so ''fanatical' as the thoughtless might
" suppose 1t will not do to stigmatiZe a!
70 fanatics. the earnest workers in the cause
,e of temperance who are marshalling thei1
A. forces in every State of the union--it viii
rs not do to brand as dramatically the prayers
re- and labors of the men and women who are
p. devotlng their time, means and strength
j. to arrest the tide of intemperance; to res
k cue the youth and manhood of the country
from the destructive influences OF strong
drink. That day has passed by. Thete
N perance cause is vital interest; it is al
'e ever increasing force, having its encour
% agement and support in the moral con
N stitution of society. and must continnetc
,e grow and exert power for good that neith
n er the ribaldry, the ridicnIe northe denun
10 citation of men can arrest. 1t is destined t(
=. spread over and cover the whole land from
a Maine to Texas, and to make its impress
7. upon the legislation of every State. and tht
/ Nation at large.
n Appointment northern democratic politi
IF clan, in talking about the modern Demo
W cratic policy o.. appointing republicans to
y and of retaining them in office. said he
IS should suppose the experience Of West
n the negro raylsher, and OF Beecher, Bacon
+ and Harvey, would be sufficient to change
" that policy in short order.-Democratac
} Exchange.
u This is cool. in consideration of the fact
y that Ithe Republican Senate rejected the
II nomination of Beecher for Colec
tor Of Customs in Washington Territory
IL and that afterwards Mr.. Cleveland and Mr.
. Manning created an office for him which did
Il not require the Senate s confirmation, and
% appointed him to it. He was rejected by
~ the sRepublican Senate because of fraud
e and perjury, and in the face of this the
e Democratic President appointed him to